The Society for Hospitality & Foodservice Management (SHFM), the pre-eminent national association serving the needs and interests of executives in the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industries, made its annual award presentations at last month’s national conference.
These prestigious awards were announced at the SHFM President’s Banquet during the 40th Anniversary SHFM National Conference. SHFM also presented the previously announced SHFM Directors’ Awards during the 2019 National Conference, September 17 – 19, at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort and Spa in Greater Palms Springs, California. Each year, SHFM honors the very best in the industry and recognizes our special honorees that have gone “above and beyond” to serve the association and better the industry.
This year’s award winners included Tom Newcomb who won the Robert Pacifico Award: it is given to a deserving Associate Member in recognition of extended, exemplary and dedicated service to the Society, his or her community, and the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry.
SHFM’s President’s Awards were presented to Linda Femling, of Google and Rob Gordon of American Express. They were chosen by the SHFM President to honor an individual who has been instrumental in the career of the President, assisted the President throughout his or her term or has served the organization as a whole and dedicated his or her time to betterment of SHFM.
A Community Service Award was awarded posthumously awarded to Jay B. Silverstein. His wife Kim and children were on hand to help honor the beloved SHFM leader. It is presented annually to the SHFM Member that has gone above and beyond to help support the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry, as well as their local community.
Russ Benson of DayOne Hospitality Consulting was presented with SHFM’s Spirit Award. It is presented to an individual who consistently demonstrates the qualities of loyalty, dedication and enthusiasm for the Society.
SHFM recognized Aramark’s Rob Yayac of the company’s LifeWorks Restaurant Group as this year’s Rising Young Professional. The award recognizes an emerging individual who has been a stand out among our newest members, supporting the initiatives of the Society through his or her active engagement and participation in SHFM committees and activities. Through his or her actions and career trajectory, this recipient is poised to be a future leader in the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry, as well as the Society.
Guido Boers of Freddie Mac won the SHFM Leadership Award. That honor recognizes an individual whose work on behalf of SHFM and the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry has resulted in the demonstration of outstanding leadership qualities.
Compass Group’s Rick Postiglione was the recipient of SHFM’s Richard Ysmael Distinguished Service Award, given in memory of Richard Ysmael and reflects how he lived and delivered his philosophy of life in the best and most challenging moments of his career and personal life. Richard was a founding member of the Society, and his dedication, leadership and integrity throughout his career continue to inspire not only the Society’s membership but foodservice professionals in all facets of our industry. This Award recognizes an individual who has been diligent in service to corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality and who has consistently demonstrated the ideals of dedication, integrity, professionalism and leadership to the Society and to which Richard aspired.
SHFM announced a new award at the SoCal conference: The inaugural Jay B. Silverstein Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Betsy Kline of Aramark. Recognizing a lifetime of contributions and service to the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industry. This prestigious award has been renamed to honor long-time member and past president Jay B. Silverstein, who passed away this year. Jay was one of the most active SHFM members, whose contributions to the Society define a lifetime of achievement.
“I am truly humbled to be presented as the first winner of an honor that recognizes someone who was so special to us,” Kline noted.
The Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management is the pre-eminent national association serving the needs and interests of executives in the corporate foodservice and workplace hospitality industries. Our principal role is to enhance the ability of our members to achieve career and business objectives in an ethical, responsible and professional climate.
